Everything a resident needs to plan Christmas in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and every emirate: whether you get the day off, where the markets and Santa are, how to find a Christmas service, how to get a turkey and a real tree, the rules on alcohol and pork, when the airports are busiest and what is planned for New Year's Eve.
In short. Christmas is widely and openly celebrated in the UAE, but it is not a public holiday. Christmas Day 2026 falls on Friday 25 December, a normal working day for most employers, so book annual leave if you want it off. New Year's Day, Friday 1 January 2027, is a public holiday and gives a three-day weekend. Most schools break from Monday 14 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
Written for families on their first UAE Christmas and for long-term residents who want the 2026 dates in one place. No venue, hotel or ticket seller pays to appear here.
Christmas is widely and openly celebrated in the UAE, but it is not a public holiday. Christmas Day 2026 falls on Friday 25 December, which is a normal working day for most employers, so book annual leave if you want it off. New Year's Day, Friday 1 January 2027, is a public holiday for the public and private sectors, giving a three-day weekend. Most schools are on their winter break from Monday 14 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
The season starts straight after National Day on 2 and 3 December. In Dubai, the Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market (4 to 27 December, free), Winter City at Expo City Dubai (11 to 31 December) and the new DXB Winter Festival at Dubai Festival City (1 December to 10 January) are the big markets, with Santa at Ski Dubai from 1 to 25 December. In Abu Dhabi, Snow Abu Dhabi's Winter Wonderland, Mariah Carey at Etihad Arena on 12 December and the Yas, Abu Dhabi Mall and Al Qana winter events lead the season. There are Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox and Protestant churches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services are free and open to all.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Is Christmas a public holiday in the UAE? | No. The UAE's official public holidays are set by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 and do not include Christmas. Christmas Day 2026 (Friday 25 December) is a working day unless your employer gives it or you take leave. |
| Is New Year's Day a holiday? | Yes. Friday 1 January 2027 is a paid public holiday for public and private sectors, so most residents get a three-day weekend (1 to 3 January). |
| When are the school winter holidays? | Most UAE schools break from Monday 14 December 2026 and return on Monday 4 January 2027. Check your own school's calendar. |
| Can you celebrate Christmas openly? | Yes. Malls, hotels and restaurants decorate, churches hold public services and residents put up trees and lights at home. Normal rules on public behaviour still apply. |
| Biggest Christmas market in Dubai? | Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market, 4 to 27 December 2026, free entry [REPORTED]. DXB Winter Festival (1 December to 10 January) and Winter City at Expo City Dubai (11 to 31 December, from AED 60) are the ticketed alternatives. |
| Where can children meet Santa? | Ski Dubai's Winter Wonderland (1 to 25 December, packages from AED 140), Snow Abu Dhabi (4 to 25 December, reported), Winter City at Expo City Dubai, DXB Winter Festival and most big malls. |
| Where are Christmas services? | St Mary's Catholic Church and Holy Trinity Church in Dubai, St Joseph's Cathedral and St Andrew's Church in Abu Dhabi, and churches in Jebel Ali, Musaffah, Al Ain, Ruwais, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. 2026 timings are usually published in mid-December. |
| Can I buy a turkey and a real tree? | Yes. Frozen turkeys are widely sold; fresh birds and real trees (mostly Nordmann and Fraser fir) are imported and best pre-ordered in November. |
| Do I need an alcohol licence? | In Dubai, residents need a free personal licence to buy alcohol from licensed shops. In Abu Dhabi no licence has been needed since 2020. Sharjah is a dry emirate. You must be 21 or over everywhere. |
| When is it hardest to fly home? | The first weekend of the school break (around 11 to 14 December), the weekend before Christmas and 27 to 29 December. In 2025 Dubai International's busiest day was 28 December. |
| What is the weather like? | Mild. The National Centre of Meteorology gives December daytime averages of about 22 to 27°C and nights of 13 to 17°C, with occasional rain and morning fog. |
| Is New Year's Eve 2026 announced? | Partly. Hotel galas are on sale. The Burj Khalifa, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah fireworks programmes had not been published on 9 November. |
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Short answer: Yes, openly. The UAE is a Muslim country with a large Christian population, and Christmas is visible everywhere from early December: decorated malls and hotels, Christmas markets, Santa's grottos, carol services and church services attended by tens of thousands of people. What it is not is a public holiday.
Not automatically. The UAE's paid public holidays are fixed by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, which applies the same list to the public and private sectors: New Year's Day, Eid Al Fitr, Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha, Hijri New Year, the Prophet's Birthday and Eid Al Etihad (National Day). Christmas is not on it.
In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December. For most private-sector staff on a Monday to Friday week, that is a normal working day. In practice:
New Year's Day, Friday 1 January 2027, is an official public holiday, so most residents get Friday 1 to Sunday 3 January off without using leave.
Christians make up a substantial part of the UAE's expatriate population, from the Philippines, India, Europe, Africa, the Arab world and elsewhere. St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai is one of the largest Catholic parishes in the region, and The National estimated that 200,000 worshippers attended its Christmas Day services in 2025. Many non-Christian residents also enjoy the season as a cultural celebration: the markets, brunches and decorations are aimed at everyone.
Catholic, Anglican and most Protestant churches celebrate on 25 December. Coptic, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Russian, Serbian and some other Orthodox communities celebrate on 7 January, which in 2027 is a Thursday and a working day. Armenian churches mark Christmas on 6 January. Malayalee Orthodox congregations in the UAE (Indian Orthodox and Jacobite Syriac) celebrate on 25 December.
Short answer: The festive season runs from National Day (2 and 3 December) to the Orthodox Christmas on 7 January. The dates that matter most are the school break on 14 December, Christmas Day on Friday 25 December, New Year's Eve on Thursday 31 December and the New Year's Day public holiday on Friday 1 January 2027.
| Date | What happens | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tue 1 Dec | DXB Winter Festival opens at Dubai Festival City (to 10 Jan); Ski Dubai Winter Wonderland opens (to 25 Dec) | [REPORTED] |
| Wed 2 and Thu 3 Dec | Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day) public holiday | [OFFICIAL] |
| Thu 3 to Sun 6 Dec | Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Island | [OFFICIAL] |
| Fri 4 Dec | Dubai Shopping Festival opens (to 17 Jan 2027); Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market opens (to 27 Dec) | [REPORTED] |
| Fri 4 or Sat 5 Dec | Cinderella pantomime opens, Mall of the Emirates (to 24 Dec) | [OFFICIAL] |
| Fri 4 Dec | Snow Abu Dhabi Winter Wonderland opens (to 25 Dec) | [REPORTED] |
| Wed 9 Dec | Mother of the Nation Festival opens on Abu Dhabi Corniche (to 3 Jan 2027) | [OFFICIAL] |
| Fri 11 Dec | Winter City opens at Expo City Dubai (to 31 Dec) | [OFFICIAL] |
| Sat 12 Dec | Mariah Carey's Christmastime, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | [OFFICIAL] |
| Sat 12 Dec | Winter District opens at Jumeirah Emirates Towers (to 28 Dec) | [REPORTED] |
| Mon 14 Dec | Most schools start the winter break (return Mon 4 Jan 2027) | [OFFICIAL] |
| Wed 16 Dec | Simbang Gabi, the nine-night Filipino Catholic novena, usually begins (to 24 Dec) | [REPORTED] |
| Thu 17 to Sat 26 Dec | A Christmas Carol, Theatre by QE2, Dubai | [REPORTED] |
| Fri 18 Dec | Festive Friday race meeting, Meydan | [OFFICIAL] |
| Fri 18 to Sun 20 Dec | Disney and Home Alone 2 film concerts, Etihad Arena | [OFFICIAL] |
| Thu 24 Dec | Christmas Eve: vigil and midnight services | [REPORTED] |
| Fri 25 Dec | Christmas Day (a working day for most employers) | [OFFICIAL] |
| Thu 31 Dec | New Year's Eve | [NOT YET ANNOUNCED] |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day public holiday | [OFFICIAL] |
| Mon 4 Jan 2027 | Schools return | [OFFICIAL] |
| Thu 7 Jan 2027 | Orthodox Christmas (Coptic, Ethiopian, Russian and others) | [OFFICIAL] |
For every non-Christmas event in December, from Grand Prix week to concerts and the winter heritage festivals, see our UAE Events Calendar 2026.
Short answer: Dubai has the biggest choice. The free Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market (4 to 27 December) is the traditional favourite, Winter City at Expo City Dubai (11 to 31 December) is the best ticketed option for young families, and the new DXB Winter Festival at Dubai Festival City (1 December to 10 January) is the largest and the only one that runs past New Year. Abu Dhabi's markets are smaller and most announce their dates in late November.
| Market | Dates | Where | Entry | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market [REPORTED] | Fri 4 to Sun 27 Dec | Fort Island, Madinat Jumeirah | Free | The classic Dubai Christmas evening: a giant tree, stalls, mince pies and abra rides |
| DXB Winter Festival (new) [REPORTED] | Tue 1 Dec to Sun 10 Jan 2027 | Waterfront beside Dubai Festival City Mall | Ticketed; prices not yet published | A big European-style market with 150+ vendors, funfair, Santa's grotto and stage shows |
| Winter City x Disney+ "Once Upon a Holiday" [OFFICIAL] | Fri 11 to Thu 31 Dec, 4pm to 10pm | Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai | From AED 60; under-3s free | Young families: Frozen, Toy Story, Home Alone and Marvel themed zones |
| Winter District [REPORTED] | Sat 12 to Mon 28 Dec | Jumeirah Emirates Towers | Check before you go | A grown-up market by the Museum of the Future |
| Global Village [OFFICIAL] | Nightly to May 2027 | Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road | AED 25 weekday, AED 30 any day | Not a Christmas market, but a festive night out with visiting family |
Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market. The longest-running and best-loved of Dubai's markets, set around the waterways of Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Entry is free; you pay for food, drinks and activities. Press listings give opening from 3pm Monday to Thursday and from 12pm Friday to Sunday. Note that it closes on 27 December, so it is not open between Christmas and New Year this year. Weekend evenings in the week before Christmas are very busy; go on a weekday or arrive before sunset.
DXB Winter Festival. New for 2026 and the largest market by area, covering around 20,000 square metres on the Festival City waterfront. The organiser has announced weekday opening from 4pm to midnight and weekends from 2pm to midnight. Ticket prices had not been published when we checked; an early-bird allocation with a 25% discount is available by registering on the official site. It runs through National Day, Christmas and New Year's Eve, which makes it the best option for the days after Christmas.
Winter City at Expo City Dubai. The fifth edition, this year in partnership with Disney+, under the Al Wasl Plaza dome. Tickets from AED 60 on the authorised seller's page, children aged three and under free, and tickets can also be bought at the gate. Some workshops cost extra. Open daily from 4pm to 10pm. The Expo 2020 Metro station is the easy way in.
Several 2026 market guides online still show last year's dates. Madinat Jumeirah, for example, ran to 31 December in 2025 but closes on 27 December in 2026. Check the official page before you plan a visit around a market.
Abu Dhabi's festive events are just as popular but are announced later than Dubai's. When we checked on 9 November, most had not published 2026 dates.
| Event | 2026 status | What to expect | What happened in 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow Abu Dhabi Winter Wonderland | Reported: Fri 4 to Fri 25 Dec | Santa in real snow at Reem Mall; timed Meet Santa sessions | Ran 12 to 25 Dec; Meet Santa from AED 130 early bird |
| Yas Winter Fest | 2026 dates not yet announced | Abu Dhabi's biggest outdoor winter festival: snow zones, carnival rides, a festive market and Santa's Village at Yas Gateway Park | Ran 12 to 21 Dec, from AED 25 for children and AED 35 for adults |
| Abu Dhabi Mall Winter Village | 2026 dates not yet announced | Free entry, a winter market, Santa and craft workshops in the atrium | Ran mid-December to early January |
| Al Qana Winter Festival | 2026 dates not yet announced | Free waterfront lights, a large tree and weekend workshops | Ran 12 to 31 Dec, free |
| The Galleria Al Maryah Island | 2026 dates not yet announced | A large tree and festive zones | Ran to 26 Dec |
| Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental | 2026 programme not yet announced | Tree lighting, afternoon tea and a luxury festive market | Market ran over two short windows in early and late December |
Mother of the Nation Festival on the Abu Dhabi Corniche (Wednesday 9 December to Sunday 3 January 2027 [OFFICIAL]) is not a Christmas event, but it is the capital's biggest family festival over the school break and is open on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. The Sheikh Zayed Festival at Al Wathba is open every evening to mid-March 2027.
There are no large Christmas markets in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah. Christmas there centres on church services and hotel celebrations. Ras Al Khaimah's beach resorts on Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra run festive dinners and family programmes, and are a popular choice for a quiet Christmas break within driving distance of Dubai. Remember that Sharjah is a dry emirate, so hotel Christmas dinners there are alcohol-free.
Short answer: For a real-snow Santa, book Ski Dubai's Winter Wonderland (1 to 25 December, packages from AED 140, tickets on sale from 9 November) or Snow Abu Dhabi (reported 4 to 25 December). For a cheaper visit, Santa appears at Winter City, DXB Winter Festival and most large malls in the run-up to Christmas.
| Where | Dates | From | Good to know | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ski Dubai Winter Wonderland, Mall of the Emirates | Tue 1 to Fri 25 Dec | AED 140 | Meet Santa and Snow Park package AED 295; new Snow Daycation AED 375. Timed slots: arrive 40 minutes early | [REPORTED] |
| Snow Abu Dhabi Winter Wonderland, Reem Mall | Fri 4 to Fri 25 Dec | To be confirmed | In 2025, Meet Santa was AED 130 early bird and from AED 165 standard | [REPORTED] |
| Winter City, Expo City Dubai | Fri 11 to Thu 31 Dec | AED 60 (entry) | Santa meets included in the festival programme | [OFFICIAL] |
| DXB Winter Festival | Tue 1 Dec to Sun 10 Jan | To be confirmed | Santa's grotto on site | [REPORTED] |
| Malls across the UAE | Mostly mid to late December | Often free | Most large malls run a grotto or Santa appearances; check the mall's own events page | [VERIFY] |
Weekend Santa slots at Ski Dubai sell out first, and the most popular dates are the first weekend of the school break (12 and 13 December) and the last weekend before Christmas (19 and 20 December). Both snow parks have run sensory-friendly Santa sessions in past years; ask when you book if that would suit your child.
Short answer: Dubai has four Christmas pantomimes and family shows this year: Cinderella at Mall of the Emirates, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Magic Phil at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and A Christmas Carol on the QE2. In Abu Dhabi the festive highlights are Mariah Carey on 12 December and the Disney and Home Alone 2 film concerts on 18 to 20 December.
| Show | Dates | Venue | From | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinderella: A Holiday Pantomime | 4 or 5 Dec to Thu 24 Dec | New Covent Garden Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai | AED 150 | 3+ |
| Mission Elf-Possible | Sat 5 to Sat 12 Dec | Theatre by QE2, Port Rashid, Dubai | AED 75 | Families |
| Magic Phil's Croc 'N' Roll Christmas | Fri 11 to Sun 13 Dec | Meyana Theatre, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai | AED 110 | Families |
| Mariah Carey's Christmastime | Sat 12 Dec | Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi | AED 249 | All ages; under-16s with an adult aged 21+ |
| Elf The Musical | Sat 12 to Sun 20 Dec | Raj Mahal Theatre, The World of Riverland, Dubai Parks and Resorts | AED 195 | Families |
| Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Dubai Panto) | Wed 16 to Mon 28 Dec, no show on Christmas Day | Meyana Theatre, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai | AED 100 | Families |
| Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol | Thu 17 to Sat 26 Dec | Theatre by QE2, Port Rashid, Dubai | AED 79 | 3+ |
| Disney and Home Alone 2 film concerts | Fri 18 to Sun 20 Dec | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | AED 80 | All ages |
| Bolshoi: The Nutcracker | Fri 4 to Sun 6 Dec | Dubai Opera | AED 495 | Families |
| Festive Friday race meeting | Fri 18 Dec | Meydan Racecourse, Dubai | See organiser | Everyone |
On the Cinderella dates: the promoter, Live Nation Middle East, lists the run as 4 to 24 December, while the authorised seller's booking page starts on 5 December. Book the date you want directly on the seller's page and it will show you what is actually available.
Prices are the lowest "from" prices on the authorised seller's page when we checked, usually before booking fees. Buy only from the venue, the organiser or an authorised seller such as Platinumlist. Our UAE Events Calendar 2026 explains how to spot fake ticket sellers.
Short answer: Christmas services are held in churches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, in English and many other languages. Services are free and open to everyone. Each church publishes its own 2026 timings, usually in the first half of December, so check the parish website or social media in the week before Christmas.
| Emirate | Catholic | Anglican and Protestant | Orthodox and other traditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | St Mary's Catholic Church, Oud Metha; St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Jebel Ali | Holy Trinity Church, Oud Metha; Christ Church Jebel Ali; Evangelical Christian Church of Dubai, Jebel Ali | St Thomas Orthodox Cathedral; Coptic, Syriac Orthodox and Mar Thoma parishes |
| Abu Dhabi | St Joseph's Cathedral, Mushrif; St Paul's Church, Musaffah; St Francis Church at the Abrahamic Family House, Saadiyat; St John the Baptist Church, Ruwais; St Mary's Church, Al Ain | St Andrew's Church, Mushrif; Evangelical Church of Abu Dhabi | St George Orthodox Cathedral; Coptic, Armenian and other parishes |
| Sharjah | St Michael's Catholic Church | St Martin's Anglican Church; Union Church | The Al Yarmook church district, including Coptic, Armenian and Syriac Orthodox churches |
| Ras Al Khaimah | St Anthony of Padua Church | St Luke's Anglican Church; Evangelical Church of Ras Al Khaimah | St Mary's Orthodox Church |
| Fujairah | Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church | — | St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church |
We could not find a church in Ajman or Umm Al Quwain; residents there usually attend services in Sharjah, a short drive away.
Simbang Gabi, the nine-night Filipino Catholic novena of evening masses, usually runs from 16 to 24 December at St Mary's Dubai and other Catholic parishes and draws very large congregations. Many churches and hotels also hold carol services in the two weeks before Christmas, and several schools hold carol concerts in the last week of term (7 to 11 December). Check your local church for dates.
You do not need to be a member of the parish or of that denomination to attend a Christmas service. Most churches post their timings on their website, Facebook or Instagram, and Gulf News and Khaleej Times usually publish a round-up of service times across the UAE in the week before Christmas.
Short answer: You can have a fully traditional Christmas dinner in the UAE, either at a hotel Christmas brunch or lunch (prices vary widely by hotel and drinks package, so compare before you book) or at home with an imported turkey, which should be pre-ordered by mid-December. Hotel takeaway turkeys with all the trimmings are a popular middle option.
The Christmas Day brunch is a UAE institution. Most hotels in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah run a Christmas Eve dinner, a Christmas Day brunch or lunch and a Boxing Day offer, usually with soft-drink and alcoholic packages and a children's price. Many include a visit from Santa.
| What you need | Where to get it | When to order |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen whole turkey | Most supermarkets, including Spinneys, Carrefour, Lulu, Union Coop and Waitrose | Any time in December |
| Fresh or oven-ready turkey, duck or goose | Premium supermarkets and butchers on pre-order | By about 10 to 17 December; in past years Spinneys pre-orders closed in mid-December |
| Cooked turkey and trimmings to take home | Hotel festive takeaways in every emirate | Usually 24 to 48 hours' notice; order early for 24 and 25 December |
| Christmas pudding, mince pies, stollen and panettone | Supermarkets and hotel pastry shops | From late November |
| Pork, ham and gammon | Designated pork sections in larger supermarkets (see the rules below) | Pre-order joints and hams for Christmas |
Planning tip: many UAE kitchens have smaller ovens than people are used to at home. Measure yours before you order a large bird, or order a turkey crown or a hotel takeaway.
Short answer: Non-Muslim adults aged 21 and over can drink alcohol in licensed venues and at home. Dubai residents need a free personal alcohol licence to buy from licensed shops; Abu Dhabi abolished its licence in 2020; Sharjah is dry. Pork is legal for non-Muslims and is sold in separate, clearly marked sections of larger supermarkets.
| Emirate | Buying alcohol for home | Drinking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Residents need a personal licence, free since January 2023, issued with your Emirates ID at licensed stores (MMI and African + Eastern) or through the official licence website | Licensed hotels, bars and restaurants, and private homes | Tourists can buy with a passport at licensed stores |
| Abu Dhabi | No licence needed since September 2020; buy from licensed shops for personal use | Licensed venues and private homes | Must be 21 or over; not for resale |
| Sharjah | Not permitted | Not permitted | A dry emirate: no alcohol in hotels, restaurants or homes |
| RAK, Ajman, UAQ, Fujairah | Sold through licensed outlets | Licensed venues and private homes | Age 21+; ID may be checked |
Pork: non-Muslims can buy and eat pork. It is sold in separate, signed pork sections (often called the non-Muslim section) of larger supermarkets, with its own tills. Hotels and some restaurants serve pork dishes and label them on the menu.
These are the general rules as we understand them in November 2026 and are not legal advice. Our UAE Culture & Customs Guide covers public behaviour in more detail.
Short answer: Real Christmas trees are imported each year, mostly Nordmann fir from Denmark and Fraser fir from Canada, and are sold by supermarkets, garden centres and florists from late November. Pre-order in November for the best choice. Artificial trees and decorations are in every home store, and the Dubai Shopping Festival (4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027) brings big discounts on gifts.
| Seller | What they offer | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Spinneys | Danish Nordmann firs, pre-order for collection or delivery | Pre-orders usually open in early November |
| Kibsons | Real and artificial trees, home delivery | Has offered tree collection and recycling after Christmas |
| Dubai Garden Centre | Premium Nordmann and noble firs | Fresh stock usually arrives in the first week of December |
| Carrefour | Real and artificial trees | In-store and online |
| ACE Hardware | Real trees at selected branches, plus a large range of artificial trees and decorations | Known for its Christmas village displays |
| Florists (FNP, Oleander, Flowwow, Bloombox and others) | Real trees, some pre-decorated, with delivery across the UAE | Oleander lists delivery from the third week of November 2026 |
| Plant Street, Satwa (Dubai) | Real trees on the street in December | Compare quality and haggle |
Keep it fresh. UAE homes are air-conditioned and dry. Cut 2 to 3cm off the trunk when it arrives, use a stand that holds water, top it up daily and keep it away from AC vents. A real tree bought in early December should last to New Year.
Artificial trees, lights and decorations are sold at IKEA, ACE, Home Centre, Carrefour, Dubai Garden Centre and many independent stores from November. If you rent, check your building's rules before decorating balconies, corridors or front doors; many communities have rules on what can go on shared areas and balconies, and some ban outdoor lights on facades. Inside your own home there are no restrictions.
Short answer: Most UAE schools break up on Friday 11 December and are off from Monday 14 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, returning on Monday 4 January. That gives children three weeks, including Christmas and New Year, and gives families a 23-day window for travel or staying put.
| School type | Winter break 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| All Dubai private schools (KHDA) | Monday 14 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 |
| Ministry of Education and most Abu Dhabi and northern emirates schools | Monday 14 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 |
| Sharjah private schools (SPEA) | From 14 December 2026; check your school |
| Indian, Pakistani and other April-start schools | Usually the same winter break; check your school |
Always check your own school's published calendar; a few schools add extra days. See our UAE School Holiday Calendar 2026 to 2027 for every term date and public holiday.
| When | Idea |
|---|---|
| Week of 7 December | School nativity plays and carol concerts; book Santa slots and Christmas lunch now |
| Weekend of 12 and 13 December | Madinat Jumeirah market or Winter City; Mariah Carey in Abu Dhabi on Saturday |
| Week of 14 December | Pantomime week: Snow White opens on 16 December and A Christmas Carol on 17 December |
| Weekend of 18 to 20 December | Disney film concerts at Etihad Arena; Festive Friday at Meydan |
| Christmas Eve and Day | Church, Santa visit or Christmas brunch; a beach walk in the afternoon sun |
| 26 to 31 December | Mother of the Nation Festival, Global Village or a desert camping night as the weather cools |
Childcare if you are working on Christmas Day: many school holiday camps close on 25 December and 1 January. Book holiday camps or babysitters early, or ask your employer about leave or working from home. For year-round family ideas, see Things to Do With Kids in the UAE.
Short answer: December is the busiest month of the year at UAE airports. Avoid the first weekend of the school break, the weekend before Christmas and 27 to 29 December if you can, arrive at least three hours before an international flight from Dubai, and check in online. Fares for the second half of December are usually the highest of the year, so book as early as possible.
Dubai Airports and Emirates publish their own forecasts for the festive season in late November or early December. The pattern in recent years has been consistent:
| Period | Why it is busy | 2025 pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Around National Day (late Nov to early Dec) | Residents take short breaks | Outbound peak before the long weekend |
| First weekend of the school break (11 to 14 Dec 2026) | Families leave the UAE | Emirates listed 12 to 15 December among its busiest departure days in 2024 |
| Weekend before Christmas (19 to 22 Dec 2026) | Residents fly home; visitors arrive | Saturday 20 December was an early forecast peak in 2025 |
| 27 to 29 Dec 2026 | Visitors arrive for New Year's Eve | Dubai International's busiest day of December 2025 was Sunday 28 December, with about 312,000 passengers forecast |
| 1 to 4 Jan 2027 | Families return for school | Long immigration and taxi queues on arrival |
If you would rather stay, the UAE in December is also one of the world's great winter-sun destinations, and visiting relatives often outnumber leavers. Our UAE Holiday Destinations Guide covers short escapes, and our UAE Public Transport Guide covers getting around with visitors.
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Short answer: Expect warm, sunny days of around 22 to 27°C and cool evenings of 13 to 17°C, according to the National Centre of Meteorology's December averages. A Christmas Day beach visit is realistic, but you will want a light jacket for evening markets and a warm layer in the desert or on Jebel Jais.
| Measure | December average (UAE) |
|---|---|
| Mean temperature | About 17.7 to 21.8°C |
| Average daytime high | About 21.7 to 27.4°C |
| Average night-time low | About 12.9 to 17.4°C |
| Rain | Occasional; some Decembers bring heavy showers and thunderstorms |
| Fog | Common on early mornings, especially inland; drive carefully |
| Coldest recorded | -0.7°C on Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah (2004) |
What to pack or wear: light clothes for the day, a jumper or light jacket for evenings outdoors, a warm coat if you are camping in the desert or going up Jebel Jais, and sun protection. Christmas jumpers are entirely acceptable at evening markets and parties.
Short answer: Christmas greetings, office decorations, gift exchanges and Christmas parties are common and welcome in UAE workplaces. Be inclusive, keep celebrations respectful and remember that the usual rules on public behaviour, dress and alcohol still apply.
Short answer: New Year's Eve is Thursday 31 December 2026 and New Year's Day, Friday 1 January 2027, is a public holiday. Hotel galas are already on sale, including Katy Perry at Atlantis The Palm. The Burj Khalifa, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah fireworks programmes had not been published on 9 November; they are usually announced in late November or December and the ticketed viewing areas sell out quickly.
This shows the scale to expect. It is not the 2026 programme.
We will add the 2026 fireworks programmes to our UAE Events Calendar 2026 and to this guide as soon as they are published.
Short answer: Dubai has the most Christmas markets, shows and brunches; Abu Dhabi has strong hotel and mall celebrations, Mariah Carey and the big family festivals; Ras Al Khaimah is the favourite for a quiet beach Christmas; Sharjah, Fujairah and Al Ain centre on church services.
| Emirate | Christmas highlights | Churches | Alcohol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Madinat Jumeirah, Winter City, DXB Winter Festival, Winter District, Ski Dubai Santa, four pantomimes, hotel brunches | St Mary's, St Francis of Assisi, Holy Trinity, Christ Church Jebel Ali and more | Licence needed to buy for home (free) |
| Abu Dhabi | Snow Abu Dhabi, Mariah Carey (12 Dec), Disney film concerts (18 to 20 Dec), Yas, Abu Dhabi Mall and Al Qana winter events (2026 dates to come), Mother of the Nation Festival | St Joseph's Cathedral, St Andrew's, St Paul's Musaffah, St Francis at the Abrahamic Family House | No licence needed |
| Al Ain | Quiet, family Christmas; church services | St Mary's Catholic Church and others | No licence needed |
| Sharjah | Church services in the Al Yarmook church district; family hotel lunches | St Michael's, St Martin's and others | Dry emirate |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Beach-resort Christmas breaks on Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra; New Year's Eve fireworks | St Anthony of Padua, St Luke's and others | Licensed outlets and venues |
| Fujairah | Beach resorts on the east coast; church services | Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St Gregorios | Licensed venues |
| Ajman and UAQ | Hotel celebrations; residents usually attend church in Sharjah | None found | Licensed venues |
Thinking about where to live? Our UAE Emirates Comparison Guide compares lifestyle across all seven emirates.
Short answer: You can enjoy a lot of the UAE's Christmas for free (Madinat Jumeirah market, mall decorations, church services, the beach), but the paid highlights add up quickly for a family. Use the prices below as a guide; they are the lowest prices we saw from official or authorised sources and usually exclude booking fees.
| Item | Typical cost | Source and status |
|---|---|---|
| Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market | Free entry | [REPORTED] |
| Winter City, Expo City Dubai | From AED 60 per ticket; under-3s free | [OFFICIAL] |
| Meet Santa at Ski Dubai | From AED 140; AED 295 with Snow Park | [REPORTED] |
| Christmas pantomime | From about AED 79 to AED 150 per ticket | [OFFICIAL] |
| Mariah Carey, Etihad Arena | From AED 249 | [OFFICIAL] |
| Global Village | AED 25 weekday, AED 30 any day | [OFFICIAL] |
| Real Christmas tree | Varies widely by size and seller; small trees from under AED 100, full-size premium firs several hundred dirhams | [ESTIMATE] |
| Christmas Day hotel brunch | Varies widely; usually a premium on a normal brunch | [VERIFY] |
| Burj Park, New Year's Eve | 2026 prices not yet published; AED 997.50 per adult in 2025 | [REPORTED] |
For loyalty schemes and discount apps that cut the cost of brunches, attractions and shopping, see our UAE Discounts & Savings Guide.
Venues, churches and readers can send us Christmas events and service times. We publish a date only after we have seen it on the organiser's, venue's, church's or authorised seller's own page.
The complete 21-page Christmas in the UAE 2026 guide as a branded PDF. The same verified dates, prices and sources as this page, formatted to read offline, print for the fridge, or forward to family and colleagues planning a UAE Christmas.
The PDF is generated from the same source as this page and reflects the 9 November 2026 check. Prices, event dates and church service times change — always confirm on the organiser's official page before booking. This page is updated before the PDF is reissued.